There are approximately 1.5 million people in the US with autism spectrum disorder. Much of the focus has been on diagnosing and providing services for children with the disorder. But as these children become adults, finding work that is both meaningful and provides financial security becomes important. Many individuals on the autism spectrum have difficulty finding a job that matches their skills and interests. Not only is this frustrating for them, it denies employers access to a pool of talented, skilled and loyal employees.
On The Point, we discuss some of the reasons it has been difficult for neuro diverse individuals to find the right job, efforts to change how employers view neurodiversity, and what happens when the right match is made between employers and neuro diverse employees.
Joining us on the program are: Tara Cunningham, CEO of Specialisterne USA; Leslie Burke, LifeMap Coach with the Aspergers Autism Network; Rob Theiler, Director of the U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Center; and Michael Casso, Physical Scientist at U.S.G.S. Mindy Todd hosts.
